Ordinariness

I pull into the driveway as dusk is falling. The flowers in the gardens that we worked so hard in all summer are beginning to fade. There are brown leaves covering the small patch of grass that has finally turned green thanks to the fall rains. The windows of our house are aglow and as I sit I can see A in the kitchen putting the finishing touches on our dinner.

I pause. Watching. Listening.

There are so many days that pass without recognition. Just ordinary days that don't stand out in any important way. But, with good fortune, these ordinary days are stuff that lives are made from. There will be days filled with crisis. Days filled with anguish, anger and confusion. But, with luck, most days will be like today.

Normal day, let me be aware of the treasure you are. Let me learn from you, love you, bless you before you depart. Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow. Let me hold you while I may, for it may not always be so. One day I shall dig my nails into the earth, or bury my face in the pillow, or stretch myself taut, or raise my hands to the sky and want, more than all the world, your return.